Page 84 of Air Affair

He pulled her closer and kissed her deep and hard, exactly like she wanted him to. This was the kiss she’d been dreaming of ever since she decided to say yes, and she savored every moment of it.

A knock on the door interrupted them, much to her annoyance. Reluctantly, she released him. “I’ll get it.”

Opening the door, she saw Edward, unshaven and wild-eyed, accompanied by her father. Before she could register what was happening, Edward shoved her out of the way and headed straight for Hank, pulling back his fist.

“No,” she screamed and threw herself at Edward, knocking him sideways. He was her worst nightmare made flesh, and she had no intention of letting him anywhere near the man she loved with all her heart.

“Edward, for the love of God, what are you doing? I thought you were coming to apologize to Rory.” Her father ran toward them and tried to pull her away from Edward, but she wouldn’t let go.

“Get off me, you bitch,” Edward growled, trying to free himself from her clutches.

She wrapped her arms around his torso as tightly as she could, trapping his arms. Edward might be bigger and stronger than she was, but no one was going to touch her Hank.

They wrestled in an awkward dance and ran into her father, knocking him backwards to the floor. Hank hoisted himself from his seat.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time, Senator.” Hank’s fist flew, and there was a horrifying crack as Edward slumped against her, knocked unconscious. Releasing her hold, she let her former fiancé crumple in a heap on the floor.

“Christ, that felt good,” Hank said, leaning on the table for support. “We should tie him up before he wakes up. I’ve got some rope in the basement.” He pointed to the door on the other side of the kitchen.

“Good God. I had no idea he was going to attack Lieutenant Hawley. You must believe me, Aurora.” Her father staggered to his feet.

Giving Papa a dirty look, Rory turned her back on him and hurried downstairs, spotting the rope almost immediately. Rope in hand, she tore back up the stairs. Edward lay motionless and face down on the kitchen tiles. She tied the tightest knot she could manage around his wrists, securing them behind his back. As she finished, Edward began to groan.

“You can’t do this to me. I’m a senator.” Edward tried to roll over but couldn’t quite make it. “I’ll have you arrested!”

That was rich!

Hank guffawed. “You’re the one trespassing on my private property and assaulting my fiancée. And I’m pretty sure you’re responsible for my little accident the other day. In fact, Rory, why don’t you go call Inspector Green, and we’ll see who gets arrested when he shows up. I’ll keep your father and the good senator company while you call.”

Rory headed to the other room, pushing past her father, and picked up the phone. She asked the operator for the inspector. Fortunately, Inspector Green answered immediately. As briefly as she could, she explained the situation.

“We’ve been looking for the senator. I’ll be right over,” the inspector said and hung up.

Ten minutes later, he arrived. Rory let him in, and he took in the scene with Edward still lying prone on the floor, bleeding from his nose, and her father glowering at Edward from an armchair.

“Thank God you’re here, Inspector,” Edward said. “Look what they’ve done to me. I’m a senator, for Christ’s sake!”

Inspector Green put his hands on his hips and loomed over Edward. “I don’t think you’ll be in politics much longer, Senator. You’re under arrest for trespassing, assault, tampering with government property, and attempted murder.”

“What do you mean, ‘attempted murder’? Obviously, I’ve been set up. Can’t you see I’m the victim here?”

Inspector Green shook his head and raised an eyebrow. “I just received word from our colleagues in D.C. that a Pinkerton agent you hired decided to sing. He says you bribed a mechanic to sabotage the airplane when the Pinkerton refused to do it himself. We’re still tracking the mechanic down, but rest assured he will be brought to justice for his part in this. You’re safe now, Lieutenant Hawley.”

Rory took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I knew my father was innocent. He’s not the sort of man that would stoop to sabotage. I could imagine him threatening Hank with a shotgun before I could see him hiring others do his dirty work.”

“Thank you for your work, Inspector,” Hank said. “I’ll rest easier knowing that the perpetrator has been found and locked up. I know this can’t have been an easy case for you, given the people involved. I’m grateful for your diligence.”

“All part of the job, Lieutenant Hawley.” The inspector pulled Edward to his feet and shoved him none too gently toward the door. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go lock this fellow up.”

As the inspector left with his prisoner, Hank hobbled to the sitting room, propping his injured leg on the ottoman. Rory moved their coffee cups and poured a cup with a splash of milk for her father. Her heart was still pumping furiously from the confrontation, and she took deep and even breaths to slow it down.

Papa took the coffee cup silently, looked around the modest sitting room, and sighed, shaking his head. “You’ve made a pleasant home here, it seems, despite my best efforts to thwart you.”

Rory gritted her teeth and took a seat beside Hank on the floral sofa, wondering what offensive nonsense her father would spout next.

Clearing his throat, Papa said, “This has given me a great deal to think about. I confess I’m quite shocked about Edward. I’m sorry I let him anywhere near you, Aurora. I had no idea what kind of man he was, or I certainly wouldn’t have brought him here today.”

Rory nodded but remained silent. Her father’s apologies were rare as rubies, but this was still too little too late.